From mofongo to alcapurrias, Puerto Rican recipes offer something for everyone. Having traveled to La Isla del Encanto on several occasions, I've been lucky enough to try many of the island's dishes–and I've never been disappointed. In fact, one of the best — if not the best — fried fish dishes I've ever had was in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.
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If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting Puerto Rican cuisine, I highly recommend you find a good Boricua restaurant near you and give it a try. I promise you'll be happy.
Hopefully they serve some of the following recipes I've included in this gallery of Puerto Rican dishes you should have. The list includes a bit of everything, from appetizers to desserts.
¡Buen provecho!
You haven't tried Puerto Rican food if you haven't had a delicious mofongo.
Mofongo is a Puerto Rican staple made with green plantains mixed with lots of garlic and pork rinds, and it's like nothing you've had before.
Get the full recipe at Tablespoon.
Pasteles are the Puerto Rican version of tamales.
For Puerto Ricans, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without pasteles.
Get the full recipe at MamásLatinas.
Bacalaitos are Puerto Rican street food at its best.
Bacalaitos are codfish fritters. They are greasy, crunchy and delicious!
Get the full recipe at Goya.
Arroz con gandules is a type of Puerto Rican rice made with pigeon peas.
Arroz con gandules is another dish that is very popular during Christmas and every family has their own recipe.
Get the full recipe at DelishD'Lites.
Sanchocho is a hearty soup made with lots of vegetables.
I always thought it was a bit crazy that Puerto Ricans ate this type of soup considering it's a tropical island where it's always warm. However, this is a killer soup!
Get the full recipe at El Boricua.
Tostones are always a crowd pleaser.
Tostones are the Latin version of french fries.
Get the full recipe at MamásLatinas.
Tostones rellenos are stuffed plantains.
These are regular tostones made in the shape of tiny bowls stuffed with your favorite protein.
Get the full recipe at Allrecipes.
This yummy sandwich is made with tostones.
Tostones are so versatile that they can be used just like two pieces of bread to make a delicious sandwich.
Get the full recipe at The Noshery.
Arroz y habichuelas is perfect for bean lovers.
Another staple of Puerto Rican cuisine, this simple-looking dish of rice and beans is anything but simple.
Get the full recipe at Hispanic Kitchen.
Amarillitos are Puerto Rican ripe, sweet fried plantains.
I can never get enough of these tasty sweet plantains that go well with anything, including on their own.
Get the full recipe at Tasting Puerto Rico.
Mofongo served with churrasco or skirt steak for the win.
Mofongo doesn't have to be just a side dish. By adding meat, pork, chicken or seafood you can make it a complete meal.
Get the full recipe at KeepRecipes.
Pastelillos are the Puerto Rican version of empanadas.
The main difference is that the Puerto Rican version are thinner and they’re fried.
Get the full recipe at The Noshery.
Nothing is more Puerto Rican than lechón asado.
The whole pig is roasted slowly on a spit, and once it's ready the flavor of the pork is out of this world.
Get the full recipe at MamásLatinas.
Sofrito is the base used in many Puerto Rican recipes.
Even though you can get it already made in a jar, there's nothing like making your own with the freshest ingredients possible.
Get the full recipe at Delish D'Lites.
Whole fried red snapper is not to be missed!
As I mentioned earlier, I was served the best fried fish I've ever had in Puerto Rico.
Get the full recipe at
Puerto Rican style carne molida or picadillo tastes amazing.
This dish is like other picadillos in Latin America, except that it has potatoes. Yum!
Get the full recipe at ModernMami.
Pollo frito is a typical Puerto Rican lunch.
Unlike with most fried chicken, no breading is used in this Puerto Rican recipe.
Get the full recipe at Taste to Explore.
This arroz con pollo, or chicken with rice, is a typical Latin American dish.
This is definitely one of those comfort foods that all Latinos identify with. The Puerto Rican version is made with achiote (anatto) oil, which gives it its characteristic golden color.
Get the full recipe at Tablespoon.
Arroz con mariscos is like arroz con pollo, but with seafood instead of chicken.
Puerto Rico being an island, fresh seafood is always a good idea.
Get the full recipe at Food & Wine.
Chuletas empanadas are breaded pork chops full of flavor.
These are crunchy in the outside and juicy in the inside. Need I say more?
Get the full recipe at the Self Taught Book.
Chuletas fritas or fried pork chops are a staple in any Puerto Rican kitchen.
The trick to these yummy pork chops it to use water to fry them to avoid the extra fat.
Get the full recipe at Kitchen Gidget.
Bistec encebollado, or fried cubed steak, is a simple, delicious dinner option.
Usally covered in onions, garlic and seasonings, this dish can be served with freshly made tostones.
Get the full recipe at El Boricua.
Langosta a la parrilla or delectable grilled lobster.
The key to this dish is the lobster itself, which must be a Caribbean or spiny lobster. It's flavored with butter and local spices.
Get the recipe at Saveur.
Carrucho salad is a perfect summer appetizer.
Carrucho (or conch salad) is famous in many of the island’s costal areas and it’s a must-try.
Get the full recipe at Cafe de Puerto Rico.
Pastelón is a better version of lasagna.
It's like a lasagna, but sweeter and better because it's made with plátanos maduros!
Get the full recipe at Qué Rica Vida.
Deditos de pescado are perfect for kids.
Deditos de pescado are fresh fish sticks ready to eat with your fingers.
Get the full recipe at Martha Stewart.
Bolitas de queso are balls of cheesy happiness.
This delightful finger food is easy to make and loved by all.
Get the full recipe at Simply Today Life.
Yuca frita is a tasty appetizer that even kids will devour.
Yuca frita or fried yucca is a typical side dish dipped in what Puerto Ricans call mayo-ketchup.
Get the full recipe at Serious Eats.
Carne frita are fried pork chunks that taste delicious.
This is a must-have dish for any pork lover.
Get the full recipe at Genius Kitchen.
Asopao de pollo is like a soup and stew all in one.
Asopao de pollo is a hearty one-dish meal and an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Get the full recipe at Delish D'Lites.
Mofongo relleno de camarones is THE dish for shrimp lovers.
The shrimp is usually made scampi-style and the flavor is irresistible.
Get the full recipe at Hispanic Kitchen.
Alcapurrias de yuca are one of the island’s many fried delicacies.
These yucca fritters are stuffed with picadillo. And once you have one, I promise you'll want another.
Get the full recipe at Goya.
Piña colada are pretty much the official drink of Puerto Rico.
Did you know that piña coladas were invented in la Isla del Encanto?
Get the full recipe at Goya.
Coquito is the official drink of Puerto Rico during the holidays.
Although I don't particularly like coconuts, once I tried my first coquito, I was totally hooked, and I'm sure the same will happen to you.
Get the full recipe at MamásLatinas.
Flan de queso is by far my favorite Puerto Rican dessert.
This exquisite postre is not easy to make, but it's totally worth the effort.
Get the full recipe at The Noshery.
Tembleque is an easy dessert you will love.
Made with coconut, it's called tembleque because its consistency "trembles."
Get the full recipe at MamásLatinas.
Arroz con leche is a favorite dessert.
Arroz con leche is a traditional rice pudding that taste like heaven with cinnamon.
Get the full recipe at Genius Kitchen.
Limber are Puerto Rico's version of an icee.
Ask any Puerto Rican about limbers and you’ll see how happy they get.
Get the full recipe at Genius Kitchen.
Puerto Rican café con leche is the perfected version of a latte.
Made with fresh ground coffee and served with warm milk and sugar, this is something all coffee lovers should try.
Get the full recipe at Talk About Coffee.
Tamarindo juice is something everyone should try.
Tamarindo juice a thirst quencher that is both sweet and sour.
Get the full recipe at El Colmadito.
